NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tactical officers from multiple agencies performed an operation at a nightclub by a shopping center in Antioch early Sunday morning.
Officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Tennessee Highway Patrol were seen speaking with at least 100 people who were detained in handcuffs.
Around 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, some of the people were released while others appeared to be detained and placed in patrol cars. NewsNation affiliate WKRN is working to get the names of those people who left in handcuffs and information about any charges against them from investigators.
Meanwhile, authorities were seen carrying boxes of evidence out of the Miami nightclub in the 2000 block of Antioch Pike.
“It seems that this was drug-related and also human trafficking-related,” Metro Councilwoman Joy Styles told NewsNation affiliate WKRN.
Two agents were spotted on the roof of a nearby building holding firearms pointed in the direction of the operation. Paramedics from the Nashville Fire Department were also present, assisting individuals as they were taken to ambulances.
In a statement to WKRN, the FBI confirmed federal court-authorized search and arrest warrants were executed but did not share further details about the circumstances behind those warrants.
“We do not need drug houses, we do not need brothels, we do not need any of these variety of facilities that are doing more than what they say they’re supposed to be doing,” Styles said.
The councilwoman did commend law enforcement for doing their due diligence, adding that authorities had been keeping an eye on this club before deciding they had enough information to take action Sunday.
Most glass windows and doors were shattered at businesses around the strip mall. It’s unclear whether that’s because of vandals or law enforcement.
“I don’t understand why people want to put these lounges in strip malls. That’s really not where they’re a good fit. It disturbs other tenants; it’s not conducive for a good quality of life,” Styles explained.
Styles said this situation doesn’t represent all of Antioch. Meanwhile, nearby business owners told WKRN that Miami nightclub hasn’t been a problem for them in the past.
Metro Council plans to have a meeting about recent crime in this area later this week.
No additional information has been released about this tactical operation.